Faith in the American Dream -- but not much else

A new poll conducted for Xavier University's Center for the Study of the American Dream finds that only 23% of all American adults believe the country is headed in the right direction.

What's more, 83% have less trust in politics than they did 10 or 15 years ago; 79% have less trust in big business and corporations; 78% have less trust in government; and 72% have less trust in the media.

Despite that negative outlook, the survey also shows that 63% are confident in the American Dream. (What's the American Dream? Per the poll, the top definitions are a good life for someone's family, financial security, freedom, and opportunity.)

Yet the survey finds some striking demographic differences. Latinos and immigrations have the most positive perceptions of the American Dream, while whites and women who live in households with incomes less than $70,000 are among those who have the most negative opinions.

And get this: Confidence among African Americans to reach the American Dream declined from 40% who felt "extremely confident" in 2010 to 27% who feel the same way today.

The poll -- conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz and Associates -- was taken from March 5-15 of 1,003 adults, and it has a margin of error of plus-minus 3.1%.